Chicago C/O 2020 Applicants (2016-2017) Forum

[Dr.Degrees_Cr.Cash]

Chicago says if we went need considered we must "submit a need application" but I can't find it on their link anywhere. Does that need to be done before a decision is made?

[KMart]

Chicago says if we went need considered we must "submit a need application" but I can't find it on their link anywhere. Does that need to be done before a decision is made?

I do not believe so but an email to admissions would answer this for ya.

[poptart123]

Chicago says if we went need considered we must "submit a need application" but I can't find it on their link anywhere. Does that need to be done before a decision is made?

Let us know what you find out!

[Dr.Degrees_Cr.Cash]

Chicago says if we went need considered we must "submit a need application" but I can't find it on their link anywhere. Does that need to be done before a decision is made?

I do not believe so but an email to admissions would answer this for ya.

Yeah, I was hoping for an answer here before the weekend was over, but I'll ask on Monday.

[RamTitan]

Is it wise to write a "why Chicago" essay?

[KMart]

Is it wise to write a "why Chicago" essay?

If it is sincere, it will not hurt you.

[RamTitan]

Is it wise to write a "why Chicago" essay?

If it is sincere, it will not hurt you.

What's sincere in this case? If I got into Chicago, I'd go there....unless I got into HYS etc.

By sincere, do you mean that you should only write if it's #1 choice/dream school?

[poptart123]

I read more and more about Chicago every day, and I'm loving the school. I'm interested in PI and their LRAP seems to be amazing, and even cover clerkships.

Does anybody have an idea what percentile of the class you need to be in to be competitive for federal clerkships from UChi?

[theothercat]

As this cycle has gone on, the more I realize that Chicago is by far my top choice, just due to its reputation and the COL/life in Chicago (I'm from a small-ish city in the Midwest). If my September LSAT comes back 173+, I'm really, really hoping I'll be considered for the Rubenstein. Is a "Why Chicago" helpful in this regard, even if it is just "this is my top choice because culture and opportunities and city"? Is it important to let a school know that its your top choice or is that kind of a try-hard move?

[MAPP]

I'm filling out my app, and in the "education" section there is an area to list academic honors/awards. Is anyone including Dean's List there? Also, should I include scholarships and mock trial awards? And if it should be included, how would I list that I am in the University Honors Program?

[MAPP]

I'll tag and make myself available for questions/etc.

What do you know about the Doctoroff Business Leadership Program? Is it one of those life-consuming programs that will not allow me to have any friends besides the other people in the program?

Also, do you know how advantageous it is to have the certification? i.e. would businesses/law firms be more likely to hire me, or is it just some random certification?

[KMart]

I'll tag and make myself available for questions/etc.

What do you know about the Doctoroff Business Leadership Program? Is it one of those life-consuming programs that will not allow me to have any friends besides the other people in the program?

Also, do you know how advantageous it is to have the certification? i.e. would businesses/law firms be more likely to hire me, or is it just some random certification?

It is not life consuming by any means. I'm friends with many people within the program and all of them do other things outside of Doctoroff.

I'd say the advantage comes if you want to do business/corp work and you don't have that background. A firm will believe you because it shows the interest.

[KMart]

Is it wise to write a "why Chicago" essay?

If it is sincere, it will not hurt you.

What's sincere in this case? If I got into Chicago, I'd go there....unless I got into HYS etc.

By sincere, do you mean that you should only write if it's #1 choice/dream school?

If the reason is something other than "you have good employment numbers" would be a good reason. There has to be something specific tying you to this school as opposed to others.

[KMart]

I'm filling out my app, and in the "education" section there is an area to list academic honors/awards. Is anyone including Dean's List there? Also, should I include scholarships and mock trial awards? And if it should be included, how would I list that I am in the University Honors Program?

I filled in Dean's List and I'd include the latter two. Why not? The app is your time to shine.

The University Honors Program would be clear from your resume, no?

[KMart]

As this cycle has gone on, the more I realize that Chicago is by far my top choice, just due to its reputation and the COL/life in Chicago (I'm from a small-ish city in the Midwest). If my September LSAT comes back 173+, I'm really, really hoping I'll be considered for the Rubenstein. Is a "Why Chicago" helpful in this regard, even if it is just "this is my top choice because culture and opportunities and city"? Is it important to let a school know that its your top choice or is that kind of a try-hard move?

Honestly, I don't know. I'm in favor of writing the essay if you have a real reason to go here outside of the employment numbers. The flip side is if you say it's your top choice they can admit you with less scholarship because, if they believe you're sincere, you'll go without the Ruby. I wish I knew what you should do - Spivvy's thread may help more because he actually does that for a living. Best of luck!

[KMart]

I read more and more about Chicago every day, and I'm loving the school. I'm interested in PI and their LRAP seems to be amazing, and even cover clerkships.

Does anybody have an idea what percentile of the class you need to be in to be competitive for federal clerkships from UChi?

I wish I knew more here to help ya. Obviously we have great clerkship numbers but an increasing amount of judges are looking for alums. That could be good and bad: good because if you have bad grades you can work for a few years and sort of make up for the grades and bad because it means there's fewer judges and the grades have to be higher.

[theothercat]

As this cycle has gone on, the more I realize that Chicago is by far my top choice, just due to its reputation and the COL/life in Chicago (I'm from a small-ish city in the Midwest). If my September LSAT comes back 173+, I'm really, really hoping I'll be considered for the Rubenstein. Is a "Why Chicago" helpful in this regard, even if it is just "this is my top choice because culture and opportunities and city"? Is it important to let a school know that its your top choice or is that kind of a try-hard move?

Honestly, I don't know. I'm in favor of writing the essay if you have a real reason to go here outside of the employment numbers. The flip side is if you say it's your top choice they can admit you with less scholarship because, if they believe you're sincere, you'll go without the Ruby. I wish I knew what you should do - Spivvy's thread may help more because he actually does that for a living. Best of luck!

Thank you! I think I'm going to go without one for the reason you mention. I think I'll have a strong application, and hopefully that's enough.

[LawschoolHopeful2k16]

I'm filling out my app, and in the "education" section there is an area to list academic honors/awards. Is anyone including Dean's List there? Also, should I include scholarships and mock trial awards? And if it should be included, how would I list that I am in the University Honors Program?

I filled in Dean's List and I'd include the latter two. Why not? The app is your time to shine.

The University Honors Program would be clear from your resume, no?

I think the benefit of showing involvement in the honors program in the academic honors section outweighs any downside. It might be redundant, but so is the list of employment experience. It'll stand out more on the academic honors section, and then in the resume, they can discuss it more.

Plus some honors programs aren't really something to add to a résumé and arent listed clearly on a transcript, so if MAPP is in that situation then they should definitely at least list it on the academic honors page.

[MAPP]

Is it wise to write a "why Chicago" essay?

If it is sincere, it will not hurt you.

What's sincere in this case? If I got into Chicago, I'd go there....unless I got into HYS etc.

By sincere, do you mean that you should only write if it's #1 choice/dream school?

Where are you gonna submit the why Chicago essay? I don't see anywhere to attach it, same with the other schools that I'm starting apps for... I've emailed Georgetown admissions to see what they say, but I might have to email chicago too cuz I want to write one as well

[KatCoco]

Is it wise to write a "why Chicago" essay?

If it is sincere, it will not hurt you.

What's sincere in this case? If I got into Chicago, I'd go there....unless I got into HYS etc.

By sincere, do you mean that you should only write if it's #1 choice/dream school?

Where are you gonna submit the why Chicago essay? I don't see anywhere to attach it, same with the other schools that I'm starting apps for... I've emailed Georgetown admissions to see what they say, but I might have to email chicago too cuz I want to write one as well

Just put it in the optional addendum section.

[MAPP]

Is it wise to write a "why Chicago" essay?

If it is sincere, it will not hurt you.

What's sincere in this case? If I got into Chicago, I'd go there....unless I got into HYS etc.

By sincere, do you mean that you should only write if it's #1 choice/dream school?

Where are you gonna submit the why Chicago essay? I don't see anywhere to attach it, same with the other schools that I'm starting apps for... I've emailed Georgetown admissions to see what they say, but I might have to email chicago too cuz I want to write one as well

Just put it in the optional addendum section.

The description provided by chicago for the addendum only deals with lsat disparities, gpa trends and the like

[KatCoco]

Is it wise to write a "why Chicago" essay?

If it is sincere, it will not hurt you.

What's sincere in this case? If I got into Chicago, I'd go there....unless I got into HYS etc.

By sincere, do you mean that you should only write if it's #1 choice/dream school?

Where are you gonna submit the why Chicago essay? I don't see anywhere to attach it, same with the other schools that I'm starting apps for... I've emailed Georgetown admissions to see what they say, but I might have to email chicago too cuz I want to write one as well

Just put it in the optional addendum section.

The description provided by chicago for the addendum only deals with lsat disparities, gpa trends and the like

I know that, but that's still where you should put it. There's literally no other option. I asked Derek Meeker about it and he said it's fine to put DS/Why Chicago in that section.

[RamTitan]

Is it wise to write a "why Chicago" essay?

If it is sincere, it will not hurt you.

What's sincere in this case? If I got into Chicago, I'd go there....unless I got into HYS etc.

By sincere, do you mean that you should only write if it's #1 choice/dream school?

If the reason is something other than "you have good employment numbers" would be a good reason. There has to be something specific tying you to this school as opposed to others.

I'd probably write about ties to Chicago/desire to practice there, though I don't know if that's a particularly strong reason. And if there is a chance it would diminish scholarship chances, then I definitely would forgo writing one.

[landshoes]

I think it's key to keep it well-written, well-argued, and accurate. I don't think it will hurt your scholarship changes, but since I'm not an admissions officer I can't say for sure. I will note that you don't have to say that Chicago is your top choice or your only choice. I wrote about the excellent clinical opportunities and the small size of the school, and mentioned a friend who attended (and loved it.) IIRC I made it clear that I adored the school but never said or implied that it was my first choice. It worked out OK for me, YMMV.

[RamTitan]

I think it's key to keep it well-written, well-argued, and accurate. I don't think it will hurt your scholarship changes, but since I'm not an admissions officer I can't say for sure. I will note that you don't have to say that Chicago is your top choice or your only choice. I wrote about the excellent clinical opportunities and the small size of the school, and mentioned a friend who attended (and loved it.) IIRC I made it clear that I adored the school but never said or implied that it was my first choice. It worked out OK for me, YMMV.

This is a helpful post. I was starting to think you had to have some absurdly narrow and specific reasons for wanting to go to a school.